Fuori di Zucca: Where Does Your Food Come From?
In our increasingly urban lives, the journey of fresh produce often feels distant and invisible. But right here in the city center of Perugia, residents have created a way to reconnect with the origin of their food through alternative food networks. One shining example is Fuori di Zucca, a local initiative that brings consumers and small producers together, founded by Domenico Lizzi.
How Fuori di Zucca Works
Fuori di Zucca was born out of a desire to promote ethical consumption, food sovereignty, and community engagement. At its core, it operates as a Solidarity Purchasing Group (Gruppo di Acquisto Solidale, or GAS). Members receive weekly lists of products directly from local producers and place orders through the group’s volunteer network. Orders are gathered on Mondays, and fresh, high-quality goods are delivered and picked up on Wednesdays at the local distribution center nestled in the city center of Perugia. The entire system is managed by volunteers and sustained through a modest annual membership fee and a small markup, ensuring affordability and transparency.
A Broader Mission: Fuori Dispensa
Fuori di Zucca also extends its mission through Fuori Dispensa, a solidarity shopping initiative supporting neighborhood families facing financial difficulties. This initiative is funded by member donations and supported by discounted producer prices. Families in need receive high-quality fresh produce, fighting the idea that quality only belongs to high paying consumers. On top of that, recipients also contribute to the group by assisting with deliveries, strengthening community bonds.
An Ongoing Partnership with the Umbra Institute
Each semester, Umbra students work closely with Fuori di Zucca on academic projects focusing on sustainable food systems, ethical consumption, and community-based economies and through volunteering. While to volunteer or not for such an organization is up to the student’s preference, some courses include a service-learning component to support this ethical purchasing group.
Through this community partnership, students gain first-hand insight into alternative food networks and help them develop sustainability strategies and improve community outreach.
A Model for Food Sovereignty
In a world dominated by industrial agriculture and long supply chains, Fuori di Zucca offers a powerful, grassroots alternative. Its success demonstrates how communities can reclaim control over what they eat while supporting local economies, building relationships, and fostering mutual aid.